What Does It Mean “To The Desires That You Formerly Had”?

Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance

There is an “old life-new life” dualism that exists in Biblical thinking.  This is the “old life” that Peter does not want his readers to return to.  It is full of desires.  Now, 21^st century American usage of the word “desires” usually presumes a sexual connotation to the word.  It lends the word a heavier aura than what it I think Peter intends.

I see a competing dualism in American Christianity.  On the one hand, there is a virulent stream of evangelistic thought that is motivated by a sincere theological belief that hell is for everybody but the chosen few.  On the other hand, there is a reaction to that kind of thinking, one that considers hell to be for evil people, of which the vast majority of us are not.  It translates into something that I have heard stated “well, I am basically a good person”.

“Conforming to the desires that you formerly had” is talking about something that is qualitatively different, to my way of thinking.  The most basic expression of believing in Jesus is found in Jesus’ command to love God and love Neighbor.  This leads to a whole new way of doing things, focused out from ourselves, focused for the common and the greater good, a renewal of all creation worked out even in ourselves.

The Desires That We Formerly Had are not simply the collection of sinful behaviors for which we might be condemned.  Rather, it is an entire lifestyle that is based around the self and our own personal fulfillment.  It is quite possible that the desires we formerly had are completely in line with the bible, the 10 Commandments and so on.  But life in Christ opens up something completely new.  Once we have experienced it, Peter warns against going back.